Your garage houses some of your most costly possessions, like vehicles and lawn equipment, so it’s important to keep this area clean and organized, while protecting these items and ensuring extended use through home insurance.

Every year, as our thoughts turn naturally toward spring-cleaning, it’s crucial to also set your sights on your garage. And while the task may be daunting, it doesn’t have to be . Make the garage cleaning process as easy and stress-free as possible with these eight simple steps.

1. Plan accordingly.

Your garage can not clean and organize itself, so you have to be fully prepared for the task at hand. First start by scheduling time to complete the project. This will help ensure that the project is not half done and it will not get neglected when something more exciting pops up. Make it a goal to not abandon the project until it is 100% complete, and if that requires an entire weekend, get it on your calendar.

2. Sort.

If your garage has become just another storage space in your home, it’s time to de-clutter. Pull everything out and sort through every single item. Go through boxes and shelves, making three piles: keep, donate, and trash. Get rid of as many unused and unwanted items as possible. Instead of making a donation pile that gets forgotten, take your items to a drop-off center as soon as you’re done sorting.

3. Wash down.

Now that everything has been removed from the garage, clean it out completely. Rent a pressure washer to hose down the ceiling, walls, and floor. Clear out all the gunk and grime that has probably been building up for years. Wipe down all shelving and countertops. You now have an entirely blank canvas to work from.

4. Improve.

Now that you’re finally working with an empty space, it’s the perfect opportunity to improve upon it. If you need additional shelving, install it. If you want a workbench moved or constructed, build one. Perhaps your garage needs cement cracks filled and sealed, and a fresh coat of paint. Take advantage of this time to make these small improvements to the emptied space.

5. Set up.

Before setting up anything else, you’ll want to determine which area of the garage is going to be used for what purpose. If your garage is multifunctional, think of it this way: you should have a defined “work” space for tools and a bench, dedicated place for storing outdoor equipment as well as sports and recreational items, and finally, a cold storage for pantry items if needed. You’ll want to consider establishing this area somewhere near the entrance into the home, as it will get used most often.

6. Optimize.

Space quickly becomes used in the garage, with the amounts of tools, lawn care items, recreational gear, camping necessities, pantry goods, etc., depending on your family’s needs. You’ll need to come up with clever solutions for creating more storage space in your garage if these issues arise. . You can leverage vertical wall space with hooks and pegboards, and even take advantage of the ceiling by installing hanging shelving, the perfect size for sliding in a tote or two.

7. Put things back.

You’ve sorted your items and have gotten rid of everything you no longer need. Your space is now ready for the return of your garage necessities . But storing these items in a smart way is a necessity in order to keep them organized in the garage. Seasonal goods that are used less often should be stowed away in harder to reach places, such as in totes hung from the ceiling, up in the rafters, or the tops of shelves. Goods that are used more frequently should occupy spaces that are easier to get to.

8. Make it safe.

Hazardous items, such as propane, anti-freeze, and leaky old refrigerators have no place in the garage. They should be relocated to another area further away from the main living space. Once you’ve done this, go one step further to ensuring your costly garage items are safe and secure by installing a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector, and making sure all exit and entry doors are in proper working condition and secure. Also remember to contact your local insurance company to make sure that your home and garage items are properly covered within your home.

With these tips and a little elbow grease, you’re going to love your new, clean, and organized garage!

For more informational blogs and insurance advice check out Bradenton Insurance’s website. Bradenton Insurance has been protecting Florida’s west coast since 1954 with substantial service for 60 years and running.